Error-prone territory concede first defeat
SINGAPORE installed themselves as favourites to win the third Asian Championship at the Hong Kong Sports Institute last night.
Singapore and Hong Kong went into last night's round robin match unbeaten but the hosts faltered in the second half to lose 45-38.
The teams were deadlocked at 11-11 at the end of the first quarter and 21-21 at half-time before Singapore opened up a four-goal lead to move clear 28-24.
At the end of the third quarter, Hong Kong had closed the gap to 32-29 but Singapore finished strongly to run out comfortable and convincing winners.
The five-team round robin concludes today before the play-offs begin tomorrow, when Hong Kong meet Singapore again as they occupy first and second positions.
Hong Kong coach Val Eaton is confident her team can overturn the result in the play-offs.
''I felt we did not really get it together and made a lot of unforced errors we do not usually make,'' said Eaton.
''Some of our really good players had average games but on the bright side we were able to give more players a taste of a really tough match in this competition. I do not think it will be to our detriment that we have lost this game.'' The round robin closes today with Hong Kong taking on India and holders Sri Lanka meeting Malaysia.
